International Break

It appears that two Sporting KC players will be playing this weekend. Roger Espinoza was apparently called up by Honduras for their friendly on Monday against Serbia. The call up was made before KC's season ended and I've been unable to find any updates since the initial roster was released on the 2nd of November stating whether Espinoza was still participating or not.

The other call up is Craig Rocastle who it appears will play for Grenada against Guatemala in what has become a meaningless qualifier. Grenada is already eliminated from advancing out of their group, while Guatemala has already clinched the group. The two teams play today and again on Tuesday in the final two qualifiers of the group. Based on my research, it appears that Peterson Joseph will miss Haiti's two crucial qualifiers against Antigua on the same days due to his recovery from surgery.

Rocastle, Grenada Elminiated from World Cup Qualifying

While Sporting KC was busy qualifying for the playoffs, another Sporting KC player was busy with his national team trying to keep their World Cup qualifying hopes alive. Craig Rocastle and Grenada were playing St. Vincent and Grenadines in a must win game for both countries to keep alive in Group E. Rocastle went 90 minutes for the Spice Boyz, but unfortunately the two teams drew 1-1 with Grenada grabbing an equalizer in second half stoppage time. The result puts Guatemala through to the next round. Meanwhile Grenada have two more qualifiers coming up in November before their qualifying cycle comes to an end.

Good Day for Sporting KC Internationals

Yesterday was a good day for the two Sporting KC internationals involved in World Cup qualifying during this international window. Peterson Joseph an Haiti got things started off well with a 7-0 win over the US Virgin Islands. After being up 2-0 at the half, Haiti made all 3 substitutions, including sending on Joseph. Haiti exploded for 5 second half goals to cruise to victory. The win keeps Haiti undefeated in Group F, even with Antigua and Barbuda at 3-0. Qualification for the next round will come down to their two matches vs Antigua and Barbuda during the November international date. Before that, Haiti will play Curaçao at home on Tuesday.

Craig Rocastle and Grenada also got a win yesterday, defeating Belize 4-1 in Belize. I've been unable so far to find reports on the match giving lineups for the teams but I would assume that Rocastle played in the game. The win throws Grenada a life line for qualifying in the next round, but just barely. Guatemala is still undefeated in Group E and can clinch advancement with a win over Belize at home on the match day on Tuesday. Meanwhile Grenada will take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

More International Call Ups for KC

To go along with Roger Espinoza's call up for Honduras, four more Wizards players have been called up to represent their respective national teams. Teal Bunbury, Peterson Joseph, Craig Rocastle, and Shavar Thomas have all been called up to the US, Haiti, Grenada, and Jamaica respectively.

The biggest games of the international break are for Joseph and Rocastle whose national teams have two World Cup qualifiers. Joseph and Haiti go on the road to play the US Virgin Islands on the 7th then return to Port-au-Prince to take on Curaçao. Haiti is currently second in group F behind Antigua, but both teams are 2-0 in group play having both beat up on the two other teams in their group in the first two games.

For Rocastle, he'll likely get his first action since the Gold Cup when Grenada go to Belize on the 7th and then go home to take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Grenada really need to get results from those as they currently are at the bottom of group E with 0 points as Guatemala leads the group currently.

Bunbury and the United States have two friendlies during the window. They start with a game against Honduras in Miami before playing Ecuador at Red Bull Arena. Meanwhile, Thomas and Jamaica appear to only have one game during this window, the game against Honduras.

The five players will miss no competitive games for Kansas City during the time. The 5 though are likely to miss the friendly on October 12th against Chivas Guadalajara due to their national team commitments though.

The one name missing from the list this time is Kei Kamara, whose national team, Sierra Leone have a must win qualifier for the African Cup of Nations against South Africa. According to Kamara's Twitter he did receive an invitation to join the national team but then said "oh oh wait but that also mean "AM SUSPENDED SMH"". Not sure what exactly the meaning of the second half of his Tweet but it doesn't look like Kamara will be traveling for the game.

SKC at the Gold Cup (Rocastle Hurt!)

Only one of Sporting Kansas City's Gold Cup call ups made the field tonight. Shavar Thomas started and played the full game for Jamaica as they took out Guatemala 2-0 thanks to two goals by Demar Phillips. The Jamaicans now sit on top of their group as the only team to win both of their games with a plus 6 goal difference. Jamaica closes out their group on Monday when they'll take on Honduras.

Speaking of Honduras, Roger Espinoza was on the bench for tonight's game against Grenada, but didn't see the field as Honduras cruised 7-1 over Grenada. A hattrick by one time Wizards target, Carlo Costly, a brace by Jerry Bengtson, and goals by Walter Martinez and Alfredo Mejia finished off Grenada who actually took the lead through Clive Murray before surrendering 7 unanswered.

The worst news those of the night was that Wizards defensive midfielder, Craig Rocastle didn't even dress for the game. After doing some looking, I found that Rocastle apparently has some ligament damage, that he is having a scan done on to find out the extent of the injury. On the low side it could just end his Gold Cup, on the other side this could be a disaster for the Wizards as Rocastle's presence in the center of midfield had calmed the team after their rough start. Luke Sassano filled in well last night but I'm not sure he's the long term solution there. So hopefully this ligament damage is minor and Rocastle will be back quickly.

Thomas, Jamaica Roll Rocastle, Grenada, Espinoza Doesn't Dress

Shavar Thomas and Jamaica got their Gold Cup campaign off to a good start last night with a 4-0 win of Craig Rocastle and Grenada. Both players started their game for their respective teams. Thomas helped anchor the Jamaican defense which completely shut down Grenada. Rocastle on the other hand was subbed at half time after getting injured in a collision in the first half of the game. Rocastle and Grenada missed the presence in the midfield of Sharlie Joseph who ended up turning down the call up. Although I Joseph wouldn't have provided enough to overturn the 4 goal difference.

In the other group B game, Honduras saw their opponents, Guatemala, earn 2 red cards, but were unable to find the net as they drew 0-0. Sporting KC defender Roger Espinoza did not dress for the game for the Hondurans. The next games for the teams are on Friday when Jamaica plays Guatemala and Honduras takes on Grenada.

Craig Rocastle Called Up for Gold Cup

Grenada has named eight players that they have called up for the Gold Cup this year. One of those eight players called up was Sporting KC midfielder, Craig Rocastle. This will be Rocastle's second chance to appear for Grenada after appearing for them in the Digicel Caribbean Cup over the offseason to qualify for the Gold Cup. Grenada is in Group B where Rocastle could meet up with two other Sporting KC players if they are called up, Roger Espinoza and Honduras and Shavar Thomas' Jamaica. The fourth team in the group is Guatemala. Grenada opens against Jamaica at the Home Depot Center, take on Honduras at the FIU stadium, and finish up against Guatemala at Red Bull Arena.

Thomas and Jamaica Lift Digicel Cup

It took penalty kicks, but Shavar Thomas and the Jamaican team defeated Stephane Auvray and his Guadeloupe team 1-1 (5-4) in the Digicel Cup final. Colorado Rapids forward, Omar Cummings gave Jamaica the lead in the first half, but shortly after Guadeloupe equalized through Ludovic Gotin. Jamaica had the better of play through most of the rest of the game, but some good defending and goalkeeping, along with the some poor decisions by Jamaica kept the score level. Guadeloupe also had some good chances going forward, but couldn't find the net either. In extra time, Jamaica continued to be the more impressive team but didn't create many chances, the best came in the first overtime period where a Rodolph Austin volley had to be parried wide by Guadeloupe's goalkeeper. In the PK shoot out you saw a virtual clinch on how to take PKs on the first 9 kicks, as all were well taken with the keepers never getting a hand on any of them. On the final PK of the first set of 5 though, Jean Luc Lamboude placed his kick wide of the post giving the title to the Reggae Boyz. Thomas lifted the trophy after being subbed out late in the second period of extra time in a tactical move for penalty kicks while Auvray went the entire 120 minutes for Guadeloupe.

Earlier in the day, Craig Rocastle and Grenada played Cuba in the 3rd place game. The game turned out to be quite a bit better than the team's previous encounter when the two played to a drab 0-0 draw that saw both team's qualify for the semifinals. A 12th minute goal from Roberto Balmaseda was all Cuba needed in the game. Rocastle started again for Grenada and went the full 90 for the Spice Boys.

Jamaica and Guadeloupe to Meet in Digicel Cup Finals

Stephane Auvray and Guadeloupe will get a chance to get back at Jamaica for their loss in group play on Sunday in the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals after both teams won their semifinals tonight. In the early game of the day, Auvray actually was not in the lineup for Guadeloupe as they took on Cuba. Cuba grabbed the lead in the first half through Reysandri Cervantez. In the second half, Guadeloupe started to push the game more, equalizing in the 55th minute through Gregory Gendrey. In the 78th minute, Guadeloupe grabbed the winner through Jean Luc Lamboude on a free kick from about 35 yards out. Guadeloupe held on for the 2-1 win.

It took a little extra work for Shavar Thomas and Jamaica to get past Craig Rocastle and Grenada though as the team's were tied 1-1 after 90 minutes. A goal in the first period of extra time led to Jamaica pulling out the 2-1 win. Thomas captained the Jamaican squad who grabbed the lead in the 7th through Dane Richards off an assist from Ryan Johnson as Jamaica's MLS contingent continues to play well in the cup. In the 13th though, Grenada found the equalizer through Kitson Bain. Both sides pushed throughout the rest of the game with Jamaica being the more dominate side. After 90 minutes with the sides still level and went to extra time. Early in extra time Rodolph Austin found Troy Simmons with a cross, Simmons collected and then finished. Grenada pushed for the equalizer and were boosted by a Jamaican red card, but Jamaica advanced to the finals. Both Thomas and Rocastle went the full 120 minutes for their sides. Jamaica and Guadeloupe now meet in the final while Grenada will meet Cuba in the third place game earlier in the day.

Rocastle and Grenada Clinch Gold Cup Berth

Craig Rocastle joined Shavar Thomas as SKC players that could be participating in next summer's Gold Cup as Rocastle and Grenada drew today with Cuba 0-0, clinching a spot for the Spice Boys. Based off of the write up after the game, it doesn't sound like the game was really exciting at all as both teams seemed content to play for the draw as it would get both teams through just fine. In fact the write up on the game called it "he poorest display of the beautiful game in some years to remember." Rocastle started and played 61 minutes for Grenada, who will now play Jamaica who has clinched first play in Group I due to their head to head record with Antigua and Barbuda, in the semifinals

Kempin, Rocastle Appear for National Teams

The busy Thanksgiving weekend for SKC Wizards players with their respective national teams and it continued today for Jon Kempin and Craig Rocastle. Kempin once again started in goal for the US under 20 team in the second game of the Torneo de las Americas against Mexico. I followed along a play by play thread on Bigsoccer and by he sounds of it, the US played a very good game, controlling much of the possession. Mexico grabbed the lead in the second half after a shot hit the post and the rebound was put away. The USA equalized later in the second half through Gale Agbossoumonde off a corner from Alex Zahavi. The match again went to penalty kicks as the neither team could find a winner. Mexico completed all their penalties while the US only converted 2 and loss 4-2 on penalties for the second game in a row.

Rocastle and Grenada continued their quest to qualify for the Gold Cup in the Digicel Caribbean Cup today as they took on Trinidad and Tobago in their second group play game. Grenada got the win on a goal by Kitson Bain and were able to hold on to go to 4 points. Rocastle went 75 minutes for the Spice Boys in the 1-0 win. They currently sit second in the group after Cuba won their game against Martinique and clinched a place in semifinals. Cuba did it with 9 men as well. Those two factors (clinching and 2 red cards) could lead to Cuba fielding a bit of a weakened side on Tuesday for their final group game. A point for Grenada in their final match will see them qualify. The two results also mean that Trinidad is eliminated from the tournament with one game to play.

Rocastle Goes 90 in Draw

Craig Rocastle made his first international appearance tonight for the Grenada national team in their first game of the final round of the Digicel Caribbean Cup. Against the hosts, Martinique, tonight, Rocastle went the full 90 for the Spice Boys in their 1-1 draw. Kitson Bain for Grenada opened the scoring in the 29th. Unfortunately a clumsy challenge on Jose Goron in the 79th led to a penalty that Goron put away to level the scores. Grenada is tied with Martinique for second in the group behind Cuba who defeated Trinidad and Tobago in the group's other game today. Grenada play again Sunday when they'll take on Trinidad in their second game. Rocastle became the 8th Wizards player to record a cap this calender year joining Stephane Auvray, Teal Bunbury, Sunil Chhetri, Jimmy Conrad, Roger Espinoza, Kei Kamara, and Shavar Thomas as players that have been capped for their full national team this year.

Three SKC Players in this Weekend's Digicel Cup

Three Sporting Kansas City players will be playing this coming weekend for their respective national teams in the Digicel Caribbean Cup as they attempt to qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup. Two of the three are not surprising, as Stephane Auvray and Shavar Thomas were called up for Guadeloupe and Jamaica respectively. Guadeloupe and Jamaica are in the same group and open up on Saturday. Guadeloupe will play Guyana while Jamaica plays Antigua and Barbuda. The other call up is a bit of a surprise but was hinted at in interviews and in the podcast, and that's Craig Rocastle. Rocastle has accepted a call up to the Grenada national team who is also in the final group stage of the tournament. Rocastle had the ability to join a few different national teams, but chose to represent the Spice Boys. Grenada is in the opposite group and will open against hosts Martinique on Firday. They then play Trinidad on Sunday before finishing the group stage against Cuba a week from tomorrow.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2011 Gold Cup. Guadeloupe and Jamaica are the favorites in their group to make the tournament. Grenada's group is a bit tougher, but they could certainly make it through to the Gold Cup.